Governors

Rathfern Primary School has a dynamic and engaged Governing Body who oversee the strategic direction for the school. The Governing Body is made up of parents, community volunteers, staff (including the Head) and representatives from the Local Education Authority.

Offering advice and guidance

Our parent and community governors have a range of different backgrounds and experience and bring many beneficial persepctives to the life of the school. The role of the Governing Body is to act as a supportive but ‘critical friend’ offering advice and guidance to ensure the school:

The Governing Body also appoints the Head Teacher and Deputy Head and approves and monitors the School Improvement Plan. The Governing Body meet at least once a term and has a Chair, Vice Chair and various sub committees. The Chair of Governors can be contacted by using our contact form.

Chair of Governors

Rosemary Benson

I am a Parent Governor, co-Vice Chair of Governors, Chair of Learning, Achievement and Community Committee and a Training Link Governor. My daughter is in Year 3 and really enjoys her time at Rathfern learning with her classmates and spending time with friends from across the school. My particular interest is helping to ensure that the Governing Body supports the schools management and teaching teams to ensure that Rathfern becomes an Outstanding School for each one of the children. In my role as Governor I draw on skills from my work life, where I am a Staff Development Adviser at a University, such as Learning & Development, Equality & Diversity, Health & Wellbeing and Performance Management. I am also keen to ensure that the whole parent body can be involved in the school.

Appointed by which body? Parent body

Term of office: 4 years to 16th December 2018

Names of any committees served on:

Details of any associate members - None

Connections to any other educational establishments or governing bodies you may have: London Metropolitan University

Relationships with any governors or school staff: None

Vice Chair of Governors

Rhian Douglas

I was appointed as a Governor at Rathfern in January 2013, having previously served as an LA Governor in a primary school in Wandsworth. I have worked in variety of education management roles for over 10 years and am currently based at the Institute of Education, University of London. I am very interested in education policy in England and internationally and keen to look at the journey from policy goal to classroom practice, keeping the child as the focus of this journey. My interests are politics and current affairs and running but I am mainly kept busy by my two young children!

Parent Governors

Vaishali Londhe

As parent and as a teacher I wholeheartedly embrace the challenge of imparting a balanced and fulfilling learning experience to our children. I consider it a privilege to be part of the Rathfern governing body and to help contribute to a well thought-out educational environment, given the continual changes in policy and provision. I have been a secondary school Art and Design teacher for the past 10 years and I am currently an 'A' level exams moderator for Pearson Edexcel. Prior to teaching I ran my own creative business, designing an manufacturing textiles giftware for retailers and museums in the UK and abroad.

Appointed by which body? - Parent body

Term of office - 4 years to 16th December 2018

Names of any committees served on - none

Details of any associate members - none

Connections to any other educational establishments or governing bodies you may have - I work as a teacher at Camden School for Girls (Camden LEA) and as an Exams Moderator for Pearson Edexcel.

Relationships with any governors or school staff (e.g. husband and wife, civil partner, relative) - none.

Lewina Farrell

I have been a parent governor since November 2013. My son adores Rathfern and all of the extra curricular activities it provides. I am delighted that he goes to such a welcoming school but one that challenges all children. All children should have equal access a great education and I know they get that at Rathfern. I am a solicitor and Head of Legal at a trade association in the recruitment industry and regularly meet officials from various government departments to negotiate and draft papers including responses to government consultations and contracts. Our key priorities include promoting skills and youth employment and I believe my experience will complement those of the other school governors. I am pleased to be part of a Governing Body that works hard to support the school and all involved in it.

Appointed by which body? - Parent body

Term of office – 4 years from November 2013

Names of any committees served on - (we don’t have committees anymore but I am on the Finance Monitoring pair)

Details of positions eg chair or vice chair - none

Details of any associate members - None

Connections to any other educational establishments or governing bodies you may have – none

Relationships with any governors or school staff (eg husband and wife, civil partner, relative) - None

Staff Governors

Naheeda Maharasingam

I have been the Headteacher of Rathfern since 2007 and am delighted at the positive changes that have taken place. Children are at the heart of all our efforts to ensure they are safe, happy and effective learners. We believe that when children learn to learn they will achieve highly and not fear learning struggles. We have a growth mindset believing all children are capable of succeeding.

Julia Lannary

I qualified in 2002 with a BEd honours degree. I started teaching at Rathfern Primary School the same year, gaining experience in upper key stage two but specialising mainly in year six. I have taken the lead in ICT, developing the use of technology throughout the school. I was appointed as Assistant Head in 2007 and in September was promoted to Deputy. I have relished the challenges that the role has presented. I extremely enjoy being part of Rathfern Primary School and hope to continue to be part of the team for many years to come.

Co-Opted Governors

Linda Fuller

I have worked for Lewisham Council since 1990, with a background mainly in School Admissions and with previous experience in in Special Educational Needs. I grew up in Peckham and attended primary and secondary school in Southwark, moving to Lewisham in 1983 and now live in Greenwich. I am passionate that education opens doors to a better life and it is obvious from my visits to Rathfern School that the whole team; teaching, non teaching and governors are ambitious for the children. I am honoured to be elected to the governing body and excited about being part of the school's future.

Appointed by which body? - Governing body

Term of office - 4 years to 10th Feb 2019

Names of any committees served on - none

Details of any associate members - None

Connections to any other educational establishments or governing bodies you may have – Employed by the London Borough of Lewisham

Relationships with any governors or school staff (e.g. husband and wife, civil partner, relative) - none.

Details of the Governing Body

Governing Body Structure

Reconstituted

10-Feb-15

Governor places

10

Headteacher

1

Staff

1

Appointed by the London Borough of Lewisham

1

Elected parents of pupils attending the school

3

Co-opted

4

Chair Of The Governing Body

Rosemary Benson

Committee Structure

From 10 February 2015, the Governing Body does not operate committees. Prior to this, two committees operated: